A lot of the youngsters haven’t impressed greatly this pre season, well not enough to force themselves into the first team as Wilshere has done

Good morning Gooners,

Feeling a little worse for ware this morning, another stupid o’clock bedtime for me mixed in with yet another ridiculous o’clock start is not the best of combinations.

What did you make of the match last night? More of a reserve match than anything else wasn’t it? Theo looked sharp ish upfront but I think that maybe quite alot to do with the fact that he has had a good pre season behind him and was ahead of most of the other Arsenal players in that regard.

Carlos Vela couldn’t impose himself on the game for the second game running, not that I am paying attention to these types of thing, merely an observation.

Jack Wilshere started brightly but faded pretty sharpish, couldn’t quite get into the game after the first 15 minutes. As long as we do not expect the kid to be superman then we will be able to handle inconsistent performances from him.

One drive inside and flick out to Vela in the first half was very good. I was hoping to see some sort of switch so he could have a go on the right but he was removed at half time. Walcott, Vela, Wilshere, Ramsay are all being saved to be a part of the Amsterdam Tournament on Friday. Walcott aside the other players will have a bigger role on the Saturday against Seville.

A lot of the youngsters haven’t impressed greatly this pre season, well not enough to force themselves into the first team as Wilshere has done. Mark Randall is a player I have liked for the last year or so now and he hasn’t been able to stamp his authority on games but last night showed us what he is all about. Randall has a marvelous passing range. He was the best player in the second half and oozed class. He is very stylish and elegant in possession. He is not as mobile or energetic as someone like Ramsay but he is more in the Fabregas mould where he knows what to do before he gets the ball.

It appears that Arsene has three sections of young player at the moment. His 1st tier. Walcott, Ramsay, Traore, Denilson, Wilshere and perhaps Gibbs who could be promoted to deputy left back. Then there are the likes of Randall, Landsbury, Nordtveit who need to work and improve to take them to first team level and then there is the rest who could well be moved on if improvements are not visible. You could argue that Barazite, Simpson and Merida are in either the second or third tier of youth at the moment and I suppose it is the case for many of the youngsters.

Jay Simpson is a very interesting player. To be honest I have not seen anything of him until this pre season. I began watching the reserves properly and consistently last season and Jay Simpson was on loan. But I hope Wenger keeps hold of him. His build up play is not as good as many in the squad and technically he could improve, but he comes to life in the final third. He is quick, strong bright around the box. He is not a typical Arsenal player in that regard. He will dig the ball out of his feet and hit a snap shot where as another player would be looking to pass it. Simpson has many players to get past if he is to make it at Arsenal and that may prove to be what kills his Arsenal career.

I like the look of Gibbs at left back, very calm and assured in possession. Doesn’t look flustered and good in the tackle. Haven’t seen him properly tested defensively yet but so far so good. The one thing I would say is that I would have liked to have seen him overlap Wilshere and then the goalscorer later (his name escapes me and I cannot be arsed to check)
Arsenal left backs are no longer left backs, they have another extra pile of work on their desks called wingers. Clichy effectively has two roles in this Arsenal team and so does Sagna maybe to an ever so slightly lesser extent.

In other news, Robin Van Persie wants to continue contract talks.

The Van man said: “I was in talks before the Euros but, hopefully, we can sit down together one of these days again.

“That is my intention, always to commit to this club, it is a great team.

It feels kind of strange that we are negotiating a new contract for a player who hasn’t completed a full season for us. We all know his talent and ability but he kind of needs to prove himself.

Tomorrows match against Ajax should be very interesting. I want to know who will be standing next to Cesc.

Check out Squid Boy’s review of the match called Comeback kids bring Herbie home

Have a good day. Drop your view in the comments.

Until tomorrow.

Your Vision

Don’t forget that you can submit your own articles on the YourVision section and receive feedback from fellow Gooners. Latest article YourVision – Deal or No Deal? (By Mr. H)